Animal Services serves the cities of Woodland, Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, and the University of California Davis campus, as well as the unincorporated areas of Yolo County such as Esparto, Yolo, Guinda, Knights Landing, Dunnigan, Madison, and Brooks.

The Animal Services staff is available to provide pet adoptions, redemptions, rescues, licensing, and information for low-cost vaccinations for dogs and cats.

In addition to these services, we investigate barking and noise complaints, inspect kennels, pick up loose and contained animals including livestock, respond to animal bites and attacks, rent traps, and provide welfare checks on animals. Often, we are called upon to provide emergency services and transport for other rescue personnel who are not equipped to move animals, such as the Fire Department, CHP, and Health Department. Some services require a fee.

Barking is a natural behavior for dogs – they bark to express joy, fear, and loneliness. At times, chronic dog barking, howling or crying can interfere with neighbors. It is the responsibility of the dog owner to ensure their dog does not annoy the neighbors, and chronic barking issues can result in the issuance of a citation by Animal Control Officers. To report issues regarding noise issues due to barking, please fill out an animal complaint form and return it to our office.

View the Barking Dog Page  for more information

Animal Services handles many types of animals, but our adoption program is mostly limited to dogs and cats. Other animals which are defined as pet animals by State code such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and reptiles, are made available to their individual rescue programs for care and placement in appropriate homes.

Adoptions for dogs/cats are currently offered by appointment with viewings between 11 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday and 11 am – 3 pm Saturday.

After you have met and chosen a pet to adopt you will have a 20-minute consultation during which time you will be given information about adopting your pet. You will be asked some questions about your home life including: Do you already own pets, do you have a fenced yard, etc.

These questions are asked so we may provide guidance to help make the pet’s transition into your home as successful as possible. We will provide you with as much information as we know so you can choose the best pet for your family. We treat each pet’s and each adopter’s needs individually. We ask each family member and other dogs in your home to meet a dog prior to adoption.

Adding a new family member to your home for the rest of its life is an important decision. Most adopters spend 60-90 minutes at the shelter or return for multiple visits. Please bring proof of current residence such as a payment statement and/or PG&E or water/trash bill.

If you have lost your animal, please check 24petConnect.com for a list of pets at the shelter.

If you do not see your animal on our site, please check out resources on finding lost animals

If you see your animal on our site, please write down the Animal ID and call our office at (530) 668-5287 or come to the shelter during business hours with proof of ownership. In order to redeem your animal, you need to bring in your driver’s license or ID card, and veterinarian records for the animal to show proof of current vaccinations and spay/neuter status. If such paperwork is not available, please allow extra time for the redemption. Once the appropriate fees are paid (impound, boarding, vaccination, license, etc.), your animal will be released.

We would be happy to provide you with a copy of a license application by mail, fax, or online.  Our online licensing website is licensepet.com/yolocounty. You may also come to our shelter facility during business hours.

New license (not renewal) applications are also available at the West Sacramento and Davis Police Departments and the Westside Veterinary Clinic in West Sacramento. Current rabies vaccination is required in order to get a dog license. Licenses can be purchased for the term length of the rabies vaccination for your convenience. All dogs in Yolo County are required to be licensed. Cat licensing is optional. Additional fees will be charged for a late license.

Feel free to email our licensing team at petlicensing@yolocounty.org if you have further questions.

Please click HERE to fill out a volunteer application:

Some of the services our volunteers perform include providing kitten foster homes, kennel enrichment, adoption guidance, staffing mobile adoption events, and fundraising, and promotional assistance. We also offer internships for students with the desire to learn the business of progressive animal sheltering. If you have any questions regarding our Volunteer, Intern or Foster Programs, please contact our front office at 530-668-5287.

If you are a current volunteer, the portal to sign in and sign up for shifts/record your hours can be found HERE

Sign up for orientation online at ycasschedule.as.me

Fostering kittens is fun, messy, entertaining, and always rewarding. We want to save them all and need your help to reach that goal. The majority of our foster animals are cute, cuddly, playful underage kittens (<8 weeks old). Foster parents are dedicated to giving these young animals the care they need until they are big enough for adoption. Foster parents can also gain volunteer hours by fostering. Over 800 kittens enter the shelter each year who need foster. Your help is invaluable to these animals. As a foster parent, you are saving lives while deriving personal satisfaction and unconditional love from your foster animals.

 

If you have additional questions, send us an email at yolofosterprogram@gmail.com